Pistachios market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Tunisia's pistachio production remained stable, ranging from 3 095 t to 3 196 t. A record harvest in 2021, driven by new planting areas coming into production and improved cultivation techniques, contributed to this consistency. The total market volume, however, fluctuated from 3 631 t to a peak of 3 793 t in 2020 before declining to 3 143 t by 2023, largely due to volatile import levels.

The sector's development has been underpinned by state support, including a historical decree that encouraged pistachio tree planting and the annual provision of around 300 000 seedlings to farmers. In 2022, the government studied a comprehensive development program with a budget of 240 million dinars to expand plantations and assist producers. Furthermore, the introduction of a new foreign exchange code in July 2022 aimed to liberalize currency regulations, potentially facilitating future export activities.

Regional production hubs were central to output growth. In Gafsa, harvests increased from 1 200 t in 2019 to 2 700 t in 2022, supported by approximately 20 000 ha of plantations. Kasserine reported a harvest of 1 100 t for the 2022-2023 season, with an anticipated record of nearly 1 650 t for the 2024-2025 season, fueled by favorable weather, modern irrigation techniques, and the expansion of planted areas. The industry is being structured through Agricultural Professional Organizations, and efforts are ongoing to create a protected origin designation.

Production pistachios in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Tunisia ranked as the 7th largest producer of pistachios between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of pistachios, 2017-2020

World map of production of pistachios, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, pistachio production in Tunisia experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 3 095 tonnes of pistachios, representing a moderate decrease of 3.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 4.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 196 tonnes, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports pistachios from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tunisia exported 0.9 tonnes of pistachios, marking a slight increase of 1.9% from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2.3 tonnes. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 61.9%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018, surging by 205.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Jordan, and Germany were the primary markets for Tunisia's pistachio exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 33.0% of exports, Jordan for 24.8%, and Germany for 18.5%. Together, these three countries represented 76.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values displayed notable fluctuations during this timeframe. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, followed by a peak in 2018, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tunisia's pistachio exports were valued at 19 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 10.6% increase compared to 2019. The highest export value occurred in 2018 at 27 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline took place in 2019, with a drop of 36.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 169.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Tunisia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland were the top three markets for Tunisia's pistachio exports in value terms. Collectively, they accounted for 90.4% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Tunisia in value, 2017-2020

Imports pistachios to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes demonstrated an unstable pattern over the period. Imports reached their lowest level in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tunisia imported 698.5 tonnes of pistachios, showing a dramatic increase of 113.1% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 327.8 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 45.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017–2020, Iran, the United States, and Turkey were the main sources of pistachio imports to Tunisia in volume terms. Iran contributed 65.9% of imports, the United States 13.1%, and Turkey 7.0%. Together, these three countries made up 86.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values exhibited significant volatility throughout the timeframe. The lowest point was in 2017, followed by a peak in 2020, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tunisia's pistachio imports amounted to 2 622 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial rise of 76.6% compared to 2019. The most notable decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 23.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Tunisia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Iran, the United States, and Turkey were the leading sources of pistachio imports to Tunisia in value terms. Iran accounted for 56.3% of import value, the United States for 19.2%, and Turkey for 8.7%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 84.3% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Tunisia in value, 2017-2020